nd Tish's attitude at that time did not invite inquiry. She took long rides daily with the Ellis man in

n, writing what he called "promotion stuff," securing entries and forming the center of excited groups at the drug

white-flanneled and carrying a tennis racket. And once or twice he took out his old rac

n the window sill to cool. It had, however, no perceptible effect, except to draw from Mr. Ellis, who had been roun

The big city papers had taken it up, accord

s will be about the limit. Even with using the cattle pens for repair pits we c

e and I were concerned, the Bonor

Sampler. It's going to

cake, after all. He greeted us affably, as if his defection of t

lis," he said, "that I'

id Ellis.

t of feeling in the town that the locality ought to

ed. "My dear boy, we've got Heckert

I don't like to race. I've got less speed mania than any owner of a race car y

but, if you qualify, all right. But don't let any other town people, from

ed, but kept

tly. "Mr. McCutcheon's car was a

," remarked Mr. Ellis, and

and watched him disappea

nk you are wise to drive that racer

nd promptly sneezed, as sh

said

our courage. I do. But the other day, now, w

" from

when a racer turns over th

id Tish coldly, "it was a

friend is not the only one who can quote Latin," he said. "Verb

s poor indeed. As for Tish, I endeavored to speak a few word of remonstrance to her, but she

te a letter to Charlie Sands asking him to come up. Just as I was sealing it Bettin

Miss Tish?

ish is up to some mischief, she generally r

she always

, "Miss Letitia is an enthusiast. Whatev

d Bettina. "I try to look af

her alone. If she wants to fly, let her fly; if she

as its hands full!" said

I attended. Tish refused, being now openly at the race-track most of the day. Morris Valley was much excited. Should it wear motor clothes, or should it follow the example of

oil-streaked and greasy, in the Baileys'

ways a fatality or two. If there wasn't a fair chance of it nothi

e in. On Monday Tish took us all, including Bettina, to the track. There we

permission from Mr. Ellis, went round the track

horse-racing track for years, and we've

h other. Tish had said "we." Evidently Cousin

in overalls, carrying machine wrenches, small boys with buckets of water, onlookers round the tents and track-rollers made the place look busy and interesting. Some of the excitement, I confess, got into my blood.

all de

on the veranda reading a paper when we got

or you?" sh

e to write up the race. I thought, if you haven't

twice during the meal I caught her eye on me and on Aggie and she was sh

what is it this ti

replied. "I think she

N

at I told him about our meeting Mr. Ellis an

pnotized, Charlie. What's more, I shouldn't be surpri

at the racing list in

re among the drivers, unless she's-Who are thes

" I suggested. "I d

he town for an hour or two, Aunt Lizzie," he said. "I believe there's

oon, however, he looked p

pen it makes me suspicious. But she's back of it al

ppeared that a car, to qualify, must do a certain distance in a certain time. It grew monotonous after a while. All b

en it was over, smiling witho

bout as much chance as a watermelon at a colored pi

it?" demanded Bettina coldly. "If

and looked up at her with eyes that ma

ably trail in at the last, sound in wind a

ettina. She had her lips shut tight and was blin